The trial has seen four judges and 209 witnesses. On March 5, the court had reserved its judgment for today.

Pradeep Sharma has been charged with inflicting fatal injuries on the victim, four others, apart from R K Sharma, allegedly provided him support to commit the crime.

The prosecution has charged all with murder and conspiracy. Pradeep has additionally been charged with theft of victim’s gold chain and camera after the murder.

According to the police, R K Sharma conspired to have Shivani killed after she threatened to expose him. The two allegedly had a relationship and during his stint as an officer on special duty (OSD) in the Prime Ministers Office in 1997, the IPS officer had leaked some secret documents to Shivani.

In his defence, R K Sharma denied having had any affair with Shivani, as alleged by the prosecution. He also denied having leaked any sensitive information to the journalist.

Shivani, a journalist with the Indian Express, was found murdered at her East Delhi apartment on January 23, 1999. (ANI)